LAWS OF CAPILLARY TRANSPORT IN POROUS MATERIALS PREPARED FROM TITANIUM-ALLOY VT6 FIBERS

A study war made of the kinetics of capillary absorption of ethanol in highly porous (70-75%) materials prepared from discrete fibers of tit anium alloy VT6 (specimen dimensions 330 x 20 x (0.4-1.3) mm). The fib ers, 3 mm in length and 20-140 mu m in diameter, were obtained by rapi d solidification from the melt. Capillary transport against the force of gravity up to the equilibrium height of capillary rise was investig ated in an atmosphere of saturated ethanol vapor. Experimental data on the rate of absorption were analyzed with reference to the properties of the pore space structure - effective pore size, tortuosity of the pore channels, and free surface area. The laws of capillary transport of ethanol in porous materials composed of titanium alloy VT6 fibers, discrete copper fibers, and grade VTEM-2 titanium powder were compared . It was shown that, with regard to the speed of absorption, the advan tage of fiber materials over those made from powder is attributable to the less convoluted pore channels in the former.